Apparatus for handling metal strip



J. F. FERM APPARATUS FOR'BANDLING METAL STRIP April 28, 1942.

7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 50, 1941 INVENTUR s AHA/27mm [W 61.11 4

up ..i' .flflw Apnl 28, 1942. J. F. FERM 2,280,943

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING METAL STRIP Filed Jan. 30, 1941 wz V/K VENTOR.

IN L/EDHN FEE/w ATTORNEYS April 28, 1942. J. F. FERM 2,280,943

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING METAL STRIP Filed Jan. $50, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 28, 1942. J. F. FERM APPARATUS FOR HANDLING METAL STRIP 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 30, 1941 I f/a mvsmon QJbHNFiZ'EM. r-q I- ATTORNEYS J. F. FERM 2,280,943 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING METAL STRIP Filed Jan. 30, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 74 5/ 7 INVENTOR.

ATTO RNEY5 J. F. FERM 2,280,943

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING METAL STRIP Filed Jan. 30, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 'IIIII I'll/III mvsmo I QJFJHN FER/w.

ATTORNEYS April 28, 1942. J, F, FERM APPARATUS FOR HANDLING METAL STRIP JoH/v FIE-EM l js rormsys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR. HANDLING METAL STRIP John F. Ferm, Midland, Pa., assignor to Crucible Steel Company of America, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 30, 1941, Serial No. 376,659

Claims.

This invention pertains to apparatus for feeding strip material, particularly cold metal strip, and its object is to provide a mechanism for converting an intermittent feed of the strip into a continuous feed at constant speed without permitting the strip to accumulate in loose or otherwise injurious condition.

The invention finds particular application in the continuous processing of metal strip, such as in the progressive annealing thereof, or in the tin plating and subsequent brightening of steel strip as a continuous operation. In such processes, the strip must be fed continuously and at substantially constant speed, since intermittent feed would result in overannealing and breakage of the strip or overplating in localized areas, etc. On the other hand, the strip is ordinarily delivered to the processing apparatus in the form of separate coils or reels which are welded end-to-end as required to form the continuous strip fed through the processing apparatus. This welding is of course a time-consuming operation which necessitates intermittently stopping the feed of the strip entering the processing apparatus long enough to effect Welding each time one coil is exhausted and a new coil required. A situation thus arises where feed of the strip must be intermittent at one point and continuous and of constant speed at other points. These conditions could be met by accumulating the intermediate strip in loose folds as the end of a coil is approached whereby the constant speed feed through the processing apparatus could proceed without interruption during welding of the strip ends. but this is quite injurious to the strip due to localized sharp bending. scratching of the surface, etc., productive of breakage during feeding, flaws in the plated material, etc.

The present invention overcomes such defects by providing a slack take-up mechanism for accumulating a reserve of the strip between a series of rolls which are relatively displaceable in a direction preferably transverse to that in which the strip is fed, this reserve being accumulated by relative displacement of said rolls as the end of a coil approaches. and being thereafter paid out at constant speed from the output side of the mechanism by return of said rolls, while at the same time the strip is held stationaiy at the input side to effect welding. Upon completion of the welding and return of said rolls to their normal positions, the constant speed feed of the strip is resumed throughout the mechanism to similarly feed the strip from a new coil.

In general arrangement, the slack take-up apparatus comprises a vertical. structural steel framework of open construction and of box-like contour, this framework having journaled to the lower portion thereof a series of horizontally disposed and spaced idler rolls, and supporting guides for a vertically displaceable carriage to which other horizontally disposed and spaced idler rolls are journaled. The strip is fed alternately under and over the idler rolls Journaled to the framework and those journaled to the carriage, whereby eleyg. tion. of the carriage accumulates a reserve of the strip between the two sets'of idler rolls'which "are thus relatively displaceablein a direction transverse to the generzT direction offeed'of the strip. For elevating the carriage, cables extend to the top of the framework and there pass over a winding block driven by an electrical motor through suitable clutch, gearing and bTaking equipment, all mounted on top of the framework. At the base of the slack take-up unit on the input side is mounted a clamping device, for clamping the strip to be fed into the slack take-up unit during welding, the welding device being mounted adjacent this clamp. Electrical control equipment is provided for controlling the operation of the carriage from the base of the unit, this control equipment including protective electrical switches actuated by the carriage in its normal and elevated positions, for automatically shutting off the motor in the elevated position of the carriage, for preventing operation of the clamping device with the carriage in its normal position, etc., as described below.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings for a detailed description of the invention:

Figs. 1 and 2 are semi-diagrammatic views of the apparatus in side elevation, illustrating the feed of the strip from a coil or reel, past the welding and through the clamping devices, thence through the slack take-up unit, and thence into the processing apparatus, Fig. 1 showing the carriage in lowered position, and Fig. 2 the carriage in its elevated position. Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the welding device.

Figs. 4 to 14, inc., show the mechanical construction of the slack take-up unit, Figs. 4 and 5 being views in side and end elevation respectively of the entire assembly. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view. in partial section. taken along 6-6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a view in top elevation as iewed from above in Fig. 4; while Figs. 8 and 9 are sections at 8-8 and 9-9 of Fig. 4, respectively. Fig. 10 is a view of the carriage in end elevation; while Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the top poltion thereof, with portions broken away to show the construction more in detail. Fig. 12 is a section at l2-|2 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a sectional view of a portion of the carriage taken at l3-l3 of Fig. 8; while Fig. 14 is a further sectional detail thereof taken at |4I4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 shows diagrammatically the electrical control circuits of the apparatus.

Referring to Fig. 1, the metal strip l to be processed, is supplied from a coil or reel 2 thereof, rotatably mounted on supports 3, the strip being fed through a welding device 4 and a normally open clamping device 5, into the slack take-up unit, indicated in outline at 6. As explained more fully hereinafter, the slack takeup unit is provided with a series of horizontally disposed and spaced idler rolls 1, 8, 9, journaled lo the framework of the unit, and is also provided with a vertically displaceable carriage I0, traveling in guides of the framework as later explained, to which carriage are journaled other horizontally disposed and spaced idler rolls H, I 2. Within the slack take-up unit, the strip is fed alternately under and over the idler rolls 1, ll, 8, l2 and 9, respectively, whereby elevation of the carriage will cause a reserve of the strip to be accumulated between rolls ll, l2 journaled to the carriage and rolls 1, 8, 9 journaled to the framework, in the manner illustrated at I4, 15 of Fig. 2. Reverting to Fig. l, the strip passes out of the slack take-up unit under roll 9, and thence into the processing apparatus, indicated in this instance as an electroplating bath I6, into which the strip is fed at constant speed between power-driven pinch rolls, such as H, preceded, in this instance, by a dancer" roll assembly l8, the latter for preventing slight strip accumulations between the slack take-up and the pinch rolls,

During the normal feed of the strip, the carriage is in the lowermost position indicated at Illa of Fig. 1, and the clamp 5 is open, so that the strip may be fed directly from reel 2 and in a substantially straight line through the slack take-up unit, as indicated at l9, and thence into the processing apparatus 16 through I l and I8. As the end of reel 2 approaches, however, the operator elevates carriage It! to its uppermost position to accumulate the strip reserve l4, l5, Fig. 2. During elevation of the carriage, the strip is of course unreeled from coil 2 much more rapidly than it is fed into the processing apparatus 16.

With the carriage thus elevated, the operator observes the strip feed until the end of reel 2 comes under the welding device 4, as shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the clamping device 5 is operated to arrest the strip feed at the input side of the slack take-up unit. Meantime, the pinch rolls l1, driven at constant speed, continue to feed the strip at constant speed from the output side of the slack take-up, whereby the carriage is pulled down against the counterbalancing action of a weight 20 and the friction brake 80, thereby to pay out the reserve l4, l5. lVIarT time, the operator laps the end la of a new strip (-oil 2a over the end of the old strip I under the welding device 4 and welds the ends together as indicated at 2|. When now the carriage returns to its lowermost position 10a. Fig. l, clamp 5 is released to resume the normal strip feed.

Referring now to the remaining figures for a detailed explanation as to the construction whereby the above operations are effected, the rectangular structural steel framework of the slack take-up is indicated generally at 25. Figs. 4 and 5. This framework includes horizontal members, as at 26, to which journal housings 21, Figs. 6 and 9, are secured, and into which the frame supported idler rolls 1, 8, 9 are journaled.

The framework is provided with vertical guides 28, Figs. 6 and 8, in the form of T bars. which engage peripheral grooves in rollers 29, journnled to studs 30, Fig. 14, mounted on carriage I0 as explained below, for providing vertical displacement of the carriage.

The carriage I0 comprises generally, as shown in Figs, 6, 8 and 11, a box-like structure composed of side plates, such as 3|, 32, welded to angle bars, as at 33. Secured to the opposite side plates 3! are journal housings 34 into which the idler rolls ll, l2 are journaled.

As shown in Figs. 8, 10, 13 and 14, the studs 30 for the carriage idler rolls 29, are bolted to angle members 35 individual thereto, each angle member 35 being provided on its under side with a rib 36, Figs. 6, 14, slidable in a cooperating groove 31, Fig. 11, of a supporting angle plate 38, which in turn is bolted to a side plate 32 of the carriage ID. as shown in Fig. 14. Each supporting plate 38 is provided in the grooved portion 31 with one or more elongated slots 39. Figs. 11, 13, through which bolts 40 pass, through closely fitting apertures of the stud supporting angle members 35, for bolting members 35 to members 38 in such manner that by loosening up on bolts 48 the roller stud supporting members 35 may be adjusted longitudinally along grooves 3'! for adjusting the rollers 29 toward or away from the carriage guides 28, thereby to assure that the peripheral grooves of these rollers will engage the carriage guides without binding. Once the proper adjustment is made, the bolts 40 are of course tightened up to maintain the adjustment. To prevent the roll stud supports 35 from backing away from the carriage guides 28 under impact of the rolls against the guides during operation, each support 35 is provided in addition to bolts 40, with a bolt 4| threaded through an upstanding end portion 42. Fig. 13 of member 35, and bearing against an upstanding member 43 bolted to member 38. The bolts 4| are provided wit-h lock-nuts 44, for lock ing the bolts in desired positions of adjustment.

The carriage I0 is supported by a cable 50 passing over a winding drum 5| mounted on top of the framework 25. This rriage is resiliently suspendedfrpmlhficable through whata'm'ounts to a shock-absorbing mounting which will now be described with reference to Figs. 6, 9, ii and 12. The cable terminates at the carriage in an eyelet 52 disposed between a pair of parallel angle bars 53 and secured thereto by a bolt 54 passing through apertures in the angle bars and the cable eyelet. The angle bars 53 are maintained properly spaced by plates 55, resting on the upper edges of angles 53, these plates being appropriately grooved on their under sides, as indicated in Fig. 11 for spacing the angle bars as shown.

Passing through plates 55 are bolts 56 which also pass through other plates 51 secured to a framework 58 mounted on carriage l9. On the under side of the framework 58, bolts 56 pass through helical springs 59 and terminate in nuts and washers 60, the latter bearing against the springs. Also interposed between frame 58 and the springs 59, are bearing plates 6|. The framework 58 comprises, as shown in Figs. 6, 8. ii and 12, a built-up structure of spaced angle members 62, 63, crossed at the center by other angle members 64 riveted together by means of flats and angles, as shown at 65, Fig. 12. the framework being in turn riveted to the carriage side plates 3|, 32, by means of the angle members 66 and fish plates and angles 61.

By virtue of this construction, a resilient and stretchable coupling is interposed between cable 50 and the carriage l0, consisting of bolts 56 and springs 59, whereby, under a sudden jerk, the carriage may pull away from the cable support in the manner Illustrated in Fig. 11, whereby the carriage is cushioned against shock and snapping of the cable avoided.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 6, 'I and 9, the mechanism for elevatingthe carriage I includes the drum I on which cable 50 is wound, this drum being mounted on a shaft journaled through bearing members 1|. mounted on a plate member 12 surmounting the framework 25. Drum 5| is power driven from an electrical motor 13 through a worm and gear assem-- bly 14, the latter driving a shaft 15 through a magnetic clutch 16, shaft 15 in turn driving the drum 5I through reduction gears 11, 10 keyed to shafts 15 and 10 respectively. All of the equipment in question is mounted on plate 12, shaft 15 being journaled through bearings 19 supported thereby. For locking drum 5I against undesired rotation when clutch 10 is released. shaft 15 is provided with a brake 80 comprising abrake drum 8| keyed to shaft 15 and a cooperating brake shoe 82, magnetically actuated by a solenoid 83.

For counterbalancing the weight of carriage I0, a second cable 84, Figs. '1, 9, extends therefrom over sheaves 85, 86, journaled to bearing members 81, 08, mounted on plate 12, cable 84 extending thence downwardly to the counterweight 20, containing lateral grooves 90 into which extend angle members 9| secured to frame 25, for guiding the counterweight in its movement up and down.

Referring now to Fig. 15, the electrical circuits thereof control the operations of the driving motor 13, magnetic clutch 16, magnetic brake 80, and the magnetic clamp 5, in such manner as to provide for raising and lowering the carriage I0 and clamping the strip I, as required in accordance with the procedure above outlined in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. During normal operation, that is, with the carriage I0 in its lowermost position I011, Fig. l, the motor is inoperative, the magnetic clutch and clamp released, and the brake applied. In this connection, the brake is of such construction as to apply the braking action so long as its solenoid 83 is deenergized. which latter represents the normal condition for the solenoid.

Operation of the motor and engagement of the clutch to elevate carriage I0, and the simultaneous energization of the brake solenoid to release the brake. are initially under control of a startjLswitchiQli, Fig. 15, depression of which operates a relay IOI, which in turn operates a second relay I02 and a third relay I03. the second relay controlling circuits for energizing the motor and magnetic clutch and the third relay controlling a circuit for energizing the brake solenoid. In addition. relays IOI and I02 are provided with contacts such that upon operation they lock-up under control of each other to hold each other as well as relay I03 operated, whereby once operated by momentary depression of the "start" switch, these relays are no longer controlled by that switch, but are subsequently released by other means as hereinafter explained.

The circuits for effecting the above stated operations are energized from a supply line I04, connected through knife switches I05 to a source of direct current power I06. The shunt field excitation winding I01 for motor 13 is permanently connected across the supply line I04 over the fol lowing circuit: conductor I08, rheostat I09, conductor IIO, shunt field winding I01, and conductors III, H2, H3 seriatim. The shunt field of the motor is therefore continuously energized whereby energization of the motor armature II5 will cause the motor to operate.

As explained, energization of the motor armature is under control of relay I02, which in turn is under control of relay I 0|, the operating circuit of which is traced as follows from the negative to the positive sides of supply line I04: conductor II6, winding of relay IOI, start switch I00, a normally closed stop" switch II1, conductor II8, a normally closed switch I I 9, conductor I20 to the magnetic clamping device 5, armature and normally closed back contact I2I of a solenoid I22 actuating the clamping device, and over conductor I23 to the supply line. Since this circuit is normally closed except for the start switch. closure of the latter will energize relay IOI.

Relay IN on operating completes a circuit to operate relay I 02 traced from the negative side of supply line I04 over conductor I24, winding of relay I02, inner armature and front contact of relay IM and over conductor I25 to the stop" switch II1. from which point on to the positive side of the supply line, the circuit is the same as that traced for relay IOI.

Relay I02 upon operating over this circuit remains energized since its circuit does not include the start switch; and it also completes a circuit to hold relay IOI operated, traced as follows across the supply line: conductor lIIi, winding of relay IOI. conductor I26, outer front contact and armature of relay I02.and conductor I21. Relays WI and I02 thus lock-up through contacts of each other.

Relay I 0| operates relay I03 over the following circuit: conductor II3, winding of relay I03. outer armature and front contact of relay IOI to connection I28. returning over conductor I08.

Relay I02 upon operation as aforesaid, completes the following circuit to energize the motor armature II5: positive side of supply line I04.

conductor I21, inner armature and front contact of relay I02, conductors I29, I30 seriatim. motor armature H5, and conductors III, H2, H3 seriatim. Relay I02 also completes the following circuit for energizing the magnetic clutch 16: conductor I21, inner armature and front contact of relay I02, conductors I29. I3I. magnetic clutch 1B. and conductors I32, H2. H3 seriatim. Motor 13 is thus energized and magnetic clutch 16 engaged.

Concurrently brake is released by energization of solenoid 83 under control of relay I03 over the following circuit: conductor I08 to connection I28. armature and front contact of relay I03, conductor I33, solenoid 83, and conductors I32. H2, H3 seriatim.

With motor 13 thus energized. magnetic clutch 16 thus engaged. and brake 80 thus released, the motor will drive winding drum 5| as above described. thereby to elevate carriage I0. Elevation of the carriage can be arrested at any height thereafter by depression of the stop" switch III, which opens the holding circuit for relay I02. release of which also releases relay [M to stop the motor and deenergize the magnetic clutch over the circuit above traced.

If. however. the stop switch is not depressed. aL' e l.0 wi ll continue,tqmrisento.the top of the slack take-up unit whereupon it will be arresteiautomaticallyby engagement of a lug" I34, mount-ed on the carriage'jW'ith the projecting resilient arm of switch II9, whereby the switch will be opened to release relay I02 and with it relay IOI, thereby to open the energizing circuit for the motor armature and the magnetic clutch.

The brake solenoid 83 is also deenergized upon opening of relay IN, to apply the brake 80 upon stopping the motor, and the brake continues to be applied while the carriage I is in elevated positions. Thus the operation of the apparatus thus far describedf'in general is as followsT'By pushing the starting button I00, the carriage will rise until stopped by the stop button III. the upper limit stop switch H9, or the clamp limit switch I21. The carriage will remain where stopped until the strip tension pulls it down against the resistance exerted by the brake. The carriage on reaching a point about one foot from the bottom will actuate switches described below, which open the clamp 5 and release the brake, and by means which will now be described, the brake will again set before the carriage reaches the end of its downward travel.

A switch I36, which may be mounted on the lower portion of the frame 25, is provided with a resilient switch arm I31, which is adapted to engage a lug I31 on the carriage I0, when such carriage is lowered to a position as above stated. for example, about one foot from the bottom of its travel. Thus switch I36, which is normally open, is now closed, and remains closed for a short period, for example, while the carriage is being lowered about four inches further. Thereupon, as lug I31 passes below switch arm I3'I, the switch I36 opens again. The terminals of switch I 35 are connected respectively to the positive side of the power supply and to relay I03 (through connection I35). Thus, the closing of switch I serves to close relay I03 and energize brake solenoid 83 to release the brake, for a short period just before the carriage reaches its lowermost position. This allows the carriage to settle to its lowermost position without causing any excessive tension on the strip. The brake solenoid is thus energized to release the brake only when the motor I3 is running or while lug I3'I is passing switch I36. Thus the brake acts as a drag for maintaining substantially the same tension on the strip while it is being fed from the accumulation in the slack producer, as it does when the strip is being fed directly from the payoff block. TheJmkeJunctionmjheJension device for the strip as the carriage is pulled down by the strip. The counterweight 20 will prevent such lowering of the carriage, however, so long as the magnetic clamp 5 is released, but as soon as the clamp 5 is actuated to prevent further feeding of the strip into the slack take-up, the tension thereupon exerted on the strip by the pinch rolls will suffice to gradually lower the carriage to its normal position while paying out to the processing apparatus the reserve of accumulated strip.

Energization ofthe magnetic clamp is under control of an actuating 'switcli' I38, energization of which completes a circuit to operate a relay I39, operation of which in turn completes a circuit to energize the solenoid coil I22 of the clamp thereby to close the clamp. The circuit for relay I39 is traced as follows: from the positive side of supply line I04 to conductor I40, winding of relay I39, actuating switch I38, a normally closed release switch I4I to conductor I42, contacts of a switch I43, to the negative side of the supply line over conductor I44. Switch I43 is provided with a resilient switch arm I45 which engages carriage I0 in its lowermost or normal position to hold the switch open at such times, but which disengages the carriage while elevated. to close the switch at such times. This is merely a protective feature to prevent closure of the magnetic clamp while the carriage is lowered, since there would then be no reserve of strip in the slack take-up for the pinch roll II to draw on, whereby the pinch rolls would pull directly against the clamped strip causing breakage. Relay I39 completes an obvious circuit for energizing the clamp solenoid I22, traced through the lower armature and front contact of relay I39. Also relay I39 upon operation completes an obvious locking circuit for itself arranged In shunt to the actuating switch, this circuit being traced through the upper armature and front contact of the relay. Once operated, therefore, release of this relay, and of clamp 5 is under joint control of the switches MI and I43, depression of the first of which releases the clamp when desired. while depression of the second occurs automatically upon return of the carriage to its normal position.

As explained above, the holding circuit for relay I02 is traced through the normally closed armature and back contact of the clamp solenoid I22, whereby operation of the clamp opens the holding circuit at this point to release relay I02 and with it relay IOI, thereby to stop the motor and disengage the magnetic clutch I6. This also is a protective feature, since if the motor continues to operate and elevate the carriage upon actuation of the clamp, the tension exerted on the strip by pinch rolls I'I, would break the strip.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for feeding strip material continuously from an intermittent source, comprising: a series of rolls over which the strip is fed. an elevatable carriage for displacing certain of said rolls with respect to others for variably looping the strip therebetween, a cable and drum for elevating said carriage, a motor and interposed magnetic clutch for releasably driving said drum, a magnetic brake therefor, switch actuated relay means for energizing said motor and clutch and for releasing said brake to elevate said carriage, means including a switch responsive to a preselected elevation of said carriage for deenergizing said motor and clutch and actuating said brake, and means including a switch responsive to subsequent descent of said carriage to a lower elevation, for releasing said brake.

2. Apparatus for feeding strip material continuously from an intermittent source, comprising: a magnetic clamp for the strip, a series of idler rolls over which the strip is passed. and power driven strip feed rolls arranged in sequence, an elevatable carriage for displacing certain of said idler rolls with respect to others for variably looping the strip therebetween, a cable and drum for elevating the carriage, a motor and interposed magnetic clutch for releasably driving the drum, a magnetic brake therefor, switch actuated means for energizing said motor and clutch and for releasing said brake to elevate said carriage, means including a switch responding to a first preselected elevation of said carriage for deeneggzing the motor and clutch and actuating sai rake, switch actuated rn ms for enit ei jeiie ma and manana um i-e onsnl tqsubseguent descent glrsglifilage to a second preselectdlower'eleva ion for automatically releasing said clamp and for nio rnentarily eleasing sai ctbgake.

' -3. Ap atus for feeding strip material contin s y from an intermittent source, comprising: a magnetic clamp for the strip, a series of idler rolls over which the strip is passed, and power driven strip feed rolls arranged in sequence, an elevatable carriage for displacing certain of said idler rolls with respect to others for variably looping the strip therebetween, a cable and drum for elevating the carriage, a motor and interposed magnetic clutch for releasably driving the drum, a magnetic brake therefor, switch actuated means for energizing said motor and clutch and for releasing said brake to elevate said carriage, means including a switch responding to a first preselected elevation of said carriage for deenergizing the motor and clutch and actuating said brake, switch actuated means for energizing said clamp, switch controlled means responsive to subsequent descent of said carriage to a second preselected lower elevation for automatically releasing said clamp and for momen tarily releasing said brake, and means responsive to actuation of said clamp while said carriage is between said first and second preselected elevations, for deenergizing said motor and clutch and actuating said brake.

4. Apparatus for feeding strip material continuously from an intermittent source comprising: a vertical framework, an elevatable carriage therein, strip rolls journaled to said frame and carriage respectively for variably looping the strip therebetween, a cable and drum for elevating the carriage, an electrical motor and interposed magnetic clutch for releasably driving the drum, a magnetic brake therefor, a second cable passing from said carriage over sheaves to a suspended counterweight, and means for electrically actuating said motor, clutch and brake.

5. Apparatus for feeding strip material continuously from an intermittent source comprising: a vertical framework, an elevatable carriage therein, strip rolls journaled to said frame and carriage respectively for variably looping the strip therebetween, a cable and drum for elevating the carriage, an electrical motor and interposed magnetic clutch for releasably driving the drum, a magnetic brake therefor, a second cable passing from said carriage over sheaves to a suspended counterweight, manually actuated switching means for actuating said motor and clutch and releasing said brake, switching means responsive to elevation of said carriage for automatically releasing said motor and clutch and actuating said brake, and switching means responsive to descent of said carriage for automaticall releasing said brake.

6. In a device for feeding strip material continuously from an intermittent source: a framework containing vertical guides, an elevatable carriage arranged to travel on said guides, a cable and drum for elevating said carriage, and means resiliently suspending said carriage from said cable including rigid supporting members secured to the cable and carriage respectively, means slidabl bolting said members together, and a helical spring interposed between one of said members and an end of said bolting means, and rolls over which the strip is fed, journaled to said frame the strip therebetween.

7. In a device for feeding strip material continuously from an intermittent source: a framework containing vertical guides and an elevat able carriage provided with rollers traveling on said guides, said rollers being journaled to individual bearing members bolted to supporting members mounted on said carriage, said bearing and supporting members containing cooperating ribbed and grooved portions and elongated bolt-holes for adjustably positioning said bearing members and rolls with respect to said guides, lock-nut bolts threaded through said bearing members and adjustable to bear against members affixed to said carriage for locking said bearing members in desired positions of adjustment, and rolls over which the strip is fed, journaled to said frame and carriage respectively for variably looping said strip therebetween,

8. Apparatus for feeding strip material continuously from an intermittent source, comprising: a vertical framework, an elevatable carriage therein, strip rolls journaled to said frame and carriage respectively for variably looping the strip therebetween, means including an electrical motor for elevating the carriage and an electrically actuated brake for applying braking tension to the strip, means including a switch for energizing the motor to elevate the carriage, means responsive to a preselected elevation of the carriage for automatically releasing the motor and applying the brake, and means responsive to subsequent descent of the carriage for automatically releasing said brake.

9. Apparatus for feeding strip material continuously from an intermittent source, comprising: a magnetic clamp for the strip, a series of idler rolls over which the strip is passed, and powerdriven strip feed rolls arranged in sequence, an elevatable carriage for displacing certain of said idler rolls with respect to others for variably looping the strip therebetween, means including an electrical motor for elevating the carriage, and an electrically-actuated brake for applying braking tension to the strip, means including a switch for energizing the motor to elevate the carriage, means responsive to a preselected elevation of the carriage for automatically releasing the motor and applying the brake, and switch-controlled means for energizing said clamp to clamp the strip thereat.

10. Apparatus for feeding strip material continuously from an intermittent source, comprising: a magnetic clamp for the strip, a series of idler rolls over which the strip is passed, and powerdriven strip feed rolls arranged in sequence, an elevatable carriage for displacing certain of said idler rolls with respect to others for variably looping the strip therebetween, means including an electrical motor for elevating the carriage and an electrically-actuated brake for applying braking tension to the strip, means including a switch for energizing the motor to elevate the carriage, means responsive to a preselected elevation of the carriage for automatically releasing the motor and applying the brake, switch-controlled means for energizing said clamp to clamp the strip thereat, and means responsive to subsequent descent of the carriage for automatically releasing said clamp and brake.

JOHN F. FERM. 

